Ms Blacklock has experience managing and resolving risk reviews and audits for high-wealth individuals, SMEs and international taxpayers. She has also run tax litigation in the Federal Court, AAT and state courts for both taxpayers and the commissioner of taxation.

Ms Wood said: “This is a rapidly growing area for KPMG globally and in the region, and external developments such as the introduction of Australia’s Multinational Anti-Avoidance Law and the ATO’s ever-increasing focus on transfer pricing disputes have driven the need to recruit more specialist tax controversy expertise into KPMG Law.

“We are delighted to appoint someone of Sarah’s experience to our national tax controversy practice. As a Harvard-trained negotiator, Sarah brings a unique approach to dispute engagement and resolution.”

The KPMG appointment represents a further example of the big four expanding their push into legal services, with PwC recently voicing their aspirations to become a top 20 global legal firm.

Law firms themselves have recently been urged to consider a push into the taxation space in an attempt to combat an encroachment on their own services.